Tailor&#39;s garment length marker



Aug. 23, 1955 G. NAKAsHlAN ETAL TAILORS GARMENT LENGTH MARKER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 20. 1951 N Smm MHS T m WN 7 f Am YW mmm,

Aug. 23, 1955 G. NAKAsHlAN ETAL TAILOR'S GARMENT LENGTH MARKER Filed April 2o, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS GEORGE NAKASHIAN HARRY NAKASHIAN 15a/'M NEEN/5y United States Patent O TAILORS GARMENT LENGTH MARKER George Nakashian and Harry Nakashian, Bronx, N. Y., assignors to Mary Nakashian, New York, N. Y.

Application April 20, 1951, Serial No. 222,066

11 Claims. (Cl. 33 9) This invention pertains to a measuring device, and, more particularly, to a tailors measure for determining desired lengths of wearing apparel.

One object of the invention is the provision of an improved adjustable measuring and guiding device for facilitating the marking of the hem lines of ladies dresses, outer garments, skirts, top coats, or rain coats and also mens outer coats.

Another object of the invention is to construct the device of the invention in such manner that the lower portion of a skirt or coat is clamped in position for marking of the hem line.

Another object of the invention is the provision of adjustable guide means for marking not only the hem line but also the cutting line on which the coat or dress is to be cut to provide the proper size hem.

Still another object of the invention is to construct the device in such manner that the clamping means is foot or hand operated.

A further object of the present invention proposes constructing the measuring device so that the clamp means is adjustable as to height with several different ways for holding the clamp means in the desired vertically adjusted position.

It is another object of the present invention to construct a measuring device which is simple and durable, which is effective for its intended purposes and which can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. l is a perspective view of the measuring device of f the invention with the clamping means shown in its open position.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the measuring device with the clamping means shown in its closed position.

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the measuring device showing the side opposed to the side shown in Figs. l and 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary vertical sectional view on line 4 4 of Fig. l and illustrates the latch for holding the clamping means in its open position.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view on line 5 5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view on line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the pivot arrangement for the clamping means.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the measuring device constructed in accordance with a modication of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view on line 9 9 of Fig. 8.

Fig, l0 is a partial elevational View of the measuring 2,715,775 Patented Aug. 23, 1955 ice device constructed in accordance with another modication of the present invention.

Fig. l1 is an enlarged partial vertical sectional view taken on the line 11 11 of Fig. l0.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged partial horizontal sectional view taken on the line 12 12 of Fig. l0.

The measuring device, according to the first form of the present invention shown in Figs. l to 7, includes a substantially rectangular base 10 having a reentrantly curved side edge 11. Preferably base 1t) is formed of a suitable plastic material, although metal or wood may be utilized if desired. Projecting upward from base 10 at the center of the concave arcuate edge 11 is a post or standard 12 of metal, said standard having at its lower end an ear 13 which is imbedded in and bolted to the top face of the base 10. However, if desired, the ear 13 can be imbedded in and secured to the bottom face of the base 10. Vertically adjustably mounted on standard or bar 12 which is rectangular-shaped in cross section is an arcuate, clamping plate member 14 which extends substantially in parallelism with the central portion of edge 11. Secured to the concave face of the backing plate or member 14 at its center is a bridge member 15 adapted to receive the standard 12. A thumb screw 16 threaded through bridge member 15 serves to secure backing plate 14 in a desired ver-- tical position on standard 12 by bearing against the latter, see also Fig. 5. Obviously, loosening of screw 16 permits backing plate 14 to be slid up and down on standard 12. Preferably, backing plate 14 is formed of a suitable plastic material and bridge member 15 of metal, although, if desired, the latter may be made integral with the former.

Cooperating with clamping member 15 is a second clamping plate or member 17 of the same arcuate shape and having at either end a widened sleeve-like portion 1S which embraces an upstanding arm 20. Each sleeve 18 is provided with a block-like extrusion 21 through which a wing bolt 22 is threaded, the two bolts bearing against the arms 2@ to secure clamp member 17 in a desired vertical position on the latter, see also Fig. 6.

Referring also to Fig. 7, the arms 2li extend downward almost to base 10 and are bent in a direction away from edge 11 at an angle of less than 90 with the main portions of the arms providing L-shaped supports with vertically disposed legs and horizontally disposed arms. The bent oif portions of the two arms are interconnected by an integral cross piece or bar 23, the latter along with the arms 20 forming a yoke. On the drawings, the arms 20 and cross piece 23 are illustrated as being bent from a single piece of tubular stock. That stock may be solid, if desired. At its lower end, each arm 20 is engaged by a pivot pin 24 mounted in a bracket 25 bolted to base 1l). A spring 26 secured at one end to cross piece 23 and at the other to standard 12 tends to swing clamping member 17 into surface abutting relationship with clamping member 14.

The construction is such that by stepping on cross piece 23, clamping member 17 may be swung to the nonclamping position of Fig. l and the lower portion of a coat or dress inserted between it and backing plate 14. Releasing cross piece 23 will effect clamping of the dress or coat between members 14 and 17.

In order to prevent injury to the fabric of a coat or dress clamped between plates 14 and 17, a layer 27 of felt, foam rubber or the like is cemented to the convex face of clamping member 14 as indicated in Fig. 5.

In order to maintain clamp member 17 in unclamped position the following means is provided. Pivotally secured to base 10 adjacent cross piece 23 by a bolt or rivet 28 and washer 3l) is a sheet metal latch member 31. Member 31 is of the shape shown in Fig. 4, having two of different ways.

o'set portions, one abutting base 10 and the other positioned a short distance above the base. saidupper portion of member 31 by a bolt or rivet 32 is a substantially barrel-shaped knob 33 by which the latch member may be foot operated.

The construction is such that through knob 33, the upper portion of member 31 may be swung over cross piece 23, which action effectively latches clamp member 17 in unclamped position. To free clamp member 17 all that is required is to swing'latch member 31 to nonlatching position by engaging the foot against knob 33.

In order to guide the marking of a dress or coat clamped between plates 14 and 17, the clamp member 17 is provided with upper andv lower longitudinal extended beveled slots 34 and 35 through which a piece of chalk may be engaged with the fabric'of the dress or coat. The line marked Vthrough upper'slot 34 is the hem line of the garment, and the line marked through slot 35 is the cutting line on which the fabric is to be cut to provide a hem of exactly the Yright width. The distance between slots 34 and 35, therefore, is determined by the hem width that is desired. In instances wherein certain garments re.-

Vquire different hem widths, more than one clamp member 17 may be provided, each having the slots 34 and 35 therein appropriately spaced or the clamp member 17 can be provided with a greater number of slots spaced as desired to permit marking of the hem in a great number The location of the hem line of a dress or coat is dictated by fashionY or by the wearers desires, but in all instances said `location is measured in inches above the level on which the wearer is standing. Therefore, in order to position clamping plates 14 and 17 at exactly the desired height, standard 12 is ruled as shown in Fig. 3, a line 36 extending the full width thereof being provided for each Vfull inch above the surface on which base rests and short-lines 37 being provided to indicate the half inch positions. Lines 36 and 37 may be cut'in standard 12 or printed thereon as desired, and, prefer ably, the full inch lines 36 are identified by appropriate numerical indicia. Thus, by aligning the upper edge of plate member 14 with the appropriate line 36 or 37 and by aligning clamp plate 17 with member 14, exactly the desired results may be obtained.

It is to be mentioned that a person being fitted stands adjacent therarcuate edge 11 of base 10 and turns intermittently so that the chalk lines may be extended completely around the garment being measured.

Referring now to Figs. 8 and 9, there is illustrated a modified form of the invention which has for its purpose to prevent misalignrnent of and slippage of clamp member 17 down side arms 2t), and to provide an automatically settable latch to maintain clamp member 17 in nonclamping position. In Figs. 8 and 9 like parts are given the same reference numerals as hereinbefore with a prime added.

The yoke, consisting of side arms 20' and cross piece 23, may be of circular tube or solid construction as described above, but preferably it is of square tubular construction. The side of each arm 20 engaged by a wing bolt 22 is cut away in the shape of saw teeth 38 having their at edge at their lower end. The cutouts or teeth 38 are provided with a spacing of one-half inch so that the flat lower edge of each is so located as when engaged by the associated bolt 22 to position clamp member 17 perfectly'for alignment with clamp member 14. There is, ofcourse, a cutout 3S for each line 36 and 37 of standard 12. Further, the bolts 22 are engaged in the cut-outs 38 and prevent slippage of clamp member 17'. It is to Vbe mentioned that Where sidearms 29 are of solid rod construction, cutouts 38 are actually saw or rack teeth.

' According to the modified form ofjthe invention, the above described latching means is replaced by a pivot bracket 4'0 which is bolted to base 10 adjacent cross piece 23, and a sectorshaped latch member 41 pivoted on a Secured to the rod 42 supported by said bracket. Sector 41 is of sutilcient size to overlie cross piece 23 when in normal depending position, so that the latter is latched in its lower position thereby.

The construction is such that clamp member 17 is latched in non-clamping position as just described, but may be freed merely by pushing on the member 41 with the hand or foot. To re-latch cross piece 23 all that is required is to step on the cross piece, the sector being cammed aside by the downward movement of the latter and rocking back to latching position under the pull of gravity.

The modification of the invention shown in Figs. l0 to l2 is similar to that illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 differing only in the means for holding the clamping member 17 in position upon the arms 20.

.The holding means of the modication of the invention is characterized by levers 50 pivotally mounted intermediate of their ends on pins 51 extended between spaced lugs 52 formed integral with the sleeve-like portions 18' formed along the outer edges of the clamping member 17. The lower ends of the levers 50 have latch member 53 whichextend inward through holes 54 formedV in the sleeve-'like portions 18. The inner ends of the latch members 53 are formed to engage complementary notches 55 formed along the adjacent faces of the respective arms 20'. The material of the arms 20' dening the top edges of the notches 55 is inclined upward and the latch members 53 have complementary inclined top cam surfaces 53a, sce Fig. l1. The inclined top edges of the notches 55 and the cam surfaces 53a on the latch members 53 permit the clamp member 17 to be raised on the arms 25) by merely pulling upward on that clamp member causing the cam surfaces 53a to ride across the inclined top edges of the notches 55. Downward movement of the clamp member 17 is arrested requiring pivoting of the levers 50 to disengage the latch members 53 from the Y respective notches 55 freeing the clamp' member for downward movement.

The levers 50 are resiliently urgedinto operative positions by means of leaf springs 56. The top ends of thel and 9 and like reference numerals are used throughout to identify like parts.

While We have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of our invention, `it is to be understood that we do not limit ourselves to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modications coming within the scope of the inven tion as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

, l. A measuring device for locating the hem line of a garment which comprises a base, a vertically disposed post secured to said base intermediate the ends ofjsaid base, a backing plate adjustably mounted on said post, a pair of support arms each comprising a vertical leg and a horizontal arm, means pivotally securing each vsupport arm to said base at the ends of said vertical leg, a crosspiece connecting said horizontal arms, a clamping plate adjustably mounted on said support arms, tension means secured to said cross-piece and vertical post biasing said clamping plate towards the backing plate, and latchy means pivotally secured to said base and overlying the cross-piece in latch position to releasably prevent the,

biasing action of the tension means.

2. The combination of claim l wherein the angle between the vertical leg and the horizontal arm is less than a right angle to be positioned at an angle to the base.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said latch means consists of a pivot bracket adjacent said cross-piece and a sector shaped latch member pivotally secured to said bracket and overlying the cross-piece to latch the same.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein a piece of felt material is secured to backing plate.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said clamping plate includes end sleeve-like portions slidably received on said support arms and securing means extending through said sleeves and engaging said support arms.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said support arms include cutout portions, said securing means engaging said cutout portions to prevent slippage of the clamping member.

7. The combination of claim 3 wherein each of said horizontal arms extends at a substantially right angle to said vertical legs, and said cross-piece connects said horizontal arms at substantially right angles and in the same plane.

8. 'The combination of claim 3 wherein said clamping plate includes end sleeve-like portions slidably received on said support arms, said support arms being of uniform diameter, and securing means extending through said sleeves and engaging said support arms.

9. The combination of claim 3 wherein said clamping plate includes end sleeve-like portions slidably received on said support arms, notches in said support arms, and bolt means extending through said sleeves and engaging in said notches to retain the clamping member in adjusted position.

10. The combination of claim 3 wherein said clamping plate includes end sleeve-like portions slidably received on said support arms, notches in said support arms, and levers including latch means pivotally mounted on said sleeves engaging said notches to secure said clamping plate in adjusted position.

11. The combination of claim 10, wherein leaf springs on said sleeves urge said levers into locking position.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 791,280 McCampbell May 30, 1905 946,072 Rowe Jan. 11, 1910 985,508 Buchsbaum Feb. 28, 1911 1,030,951 Walton luly 2, 1912 1,200,727 Hogan Oct. l0, 1916 1,224,683 Sullivan May 1, 1917 1,434,379 Frank Nov. 7, 1922 1,560,417 Dreschler Nov. 3, 1925 FOREIGN PATENTS 17,467 Great Britain Dec. 1, 1910 

